Lower vehicle-body structure of vehicle

ABSTRACT

There are provided a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members which are formed in a substantially X shape in a plan view and provided above or below a floor panel. Each of the pair of inclination members is configured to interconnect a connection portion of one of right-and-left side sills and a hinge pillar and a connection portion of the other of the right-and-left side sills and a center pillar. Thereby, a load-transmission efficiency between a front end of the above-described one of the right-and-left side sills and the other of the right-and-left side sills can be improved in the SOL or vehicle side collisions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lower vehicle-body structure of avehicle, comprising right-and-left side sills extending in a vehiclelongitudinal direction at both outward sides, in a vehicle widthdirection, of a vehicle body, right-and-left hinge pillars extendingupward from respective front positions of the right-and-left side sills,right-and-left center pillars extending upward from respective middlepositions, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the right-and-leftside sills, a floor panel connected to the right-and-left side sills,and a floor tunnel protruding upward at a central portion of the floorpanel.

A conventional lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2008-230417 or2008-230460, for example, has been proposed in order to ensure thesafety performance against a vehicle offset collision, or the one whichis disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-230417,for example, has been proposed in order to ensure the safety performanceagainst a vehicle side collision.

In these days, while it has been desired to improve the safetyperformances against the vehicle frontal or side collisions, it isdesired to further improve the safety performance against the smalloverlap collision (a so-called SOL collision), in particular.

The above-described patent documents, however, disclose no concretecountermeasures against this small overlap collision, and refer to nospecific problem (necessity) about the further improvement of the safetyperformance against the small overlap collision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to properly improvethe safety performances of the lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicleagainst the SOL or vehicle side collisions with a lightweight structureby providing an appropriate load-transmission performance between afront end of one of the right-and-left side sills and the other of theright-and-left side sills.

The present invention is a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle,comprising right-and-left side sills extending in a vehicle longitudinaldirection at both outward sides, in a vehicle width direction, of avehicle body, right-and-left hinge pillars extending upward fromrespective front positions of the right-and-left side sills,right-and-left center pillars extending upward from respective middlepositions, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the right-and-leftside sills, a floor panel connected to the right-and-left side sills, afloor tunnel protruding upward at a central portion of the floor panel,and a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members formed in asubstantially X shape in a plan view and provided above or below thefloor panel, each of the pair of inclination members being configured tointerconnect a connection portion of one of the right-and-left sidesills and the hinge pillar and a connection portion of the other of theright-and-left side sills and the center pillar.

The above-described arrangement that a pair of diagonally-extendinginclination members are provided above or below the floor panel includesnot only a pattern in which they are all provided above the floor panelor they are all provided below the floor panel but another pattern inwhich they are provided above and below the floor panel.

Herein, the above-described connection portion of the side sill and thehinge pillar or the center pillar includes an area where the skirts of aroot portion (lower end portion) of the hinge pillar or the centerpillar which generally extends widely in the vehicle longitudinaldirection contacts the side sill, so that the above-describedconfiguration that the inclination member interconnects the connectionportion of the side sill and the hinge pillar and the connection portionof the side sill and the center pillar includes a layout in which afront end portion of the inclination member at least partially overlaps,in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with the above-described skirtsof the hinge pillar and a rear end portion of the inclination member atleast partially overlaps, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, withthe above-described skirts of the center pillar.

According to the present invention, the load-transmission performancebetween a front end of one of the side sills and the other onepositioned on an opposite side can be improved in the SOL or vehicleside collisions, so that the safety performances of the lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle against the SOL or vehicle sidecollisions can be properly improved with a lightweight structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described each ofthe pair of inclination members comprises an under-floor inclinationmember which is provided below the floor panel and extends obliquelyrearward and inward, in the vehicle width direction, from the connectionportion of the side sill and the hinge pillar, an upper-floorinclination member which is provided above the floor panel and extendsobliquely forward and inward, in the vehicle width direction, from theconnection portion of the side sill and the center pillar, and a tunnelmember which comprises a roughly X-shaped portion.

According to this embodiment, the load transmission between the frontend of the side sill (the hinge pillar) and the opposite-side side sill(the B pillar) in the SOL or vehicle side collisions can be achievedwith the lightweight structure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the roughly X-shapedportion of the tunnel member is a closed-cross section portion, and theclosed-cross section portion of the roughly X-shaped portion of thetunnel member is configured to overlap with, in the vehicle widthdirection, a closed-cross section portion which is formed by theupper-floor inclination member and the floor panel in a front view ofthe vehicle.

According to this embodiment, since the closed-cross section portionshave overlapping, the load can be transmitted properly withoutgenerating any bucking or the like which may be caused by stressconcentration on a specified portion. Thereby, the above-describedeffect that the load transmission between the front end of the side sill(the hinge pillar) and the opposite-side side sill (the B pillar) in theSOL or vehicle side collisions can be achieved can be further enhanced.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the above-describedlower vehicle-body structure further comprises a pair of tunnel sideframes provided below the floor panel and extending in the vehiclelongitudinal direction along both sides, in the vehicle width direction,of the floor tunnel, and a connecting member (bridge) connecting a lowerface of the tunnel side frame and a lower face of the floor panel, theconnecting member being configured to at least partially overlap withthe upper-floor inclination member in the plan view.

According to this embodiment, the performance of the load transmissionat a portion where the closed-cross section portion of the tunnel sideframe and the closed-cross section portion of the upper-floorinclination member are offset vertically in the front view can beimproved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the above-described eachof the pair of inclination members comprises an upper-floor inclinationmember which is provided above the floor panel and extends obliquelyrearward and inward, in the vehicle width direction, from the connectionportion of the side sill and the hinge pillar, an under-floorinclination member which is provided below the floor panel and extendsobliquely forward and inward, in the vehicle width direction, from theconnection portion of the side sill and the center pillar, and a tunnelmember which comprises a roughly X-shaped portion.

According to this embodiment, the load transmission between the frontend of the side sill (the hinge pillar) and the opposite-side side sill(the B pillar) in the SOL or vehicle side collisions can be achievedwith the lightweight structure, too.

Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description which refers to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lower vehicle-body structure of avehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewedfrom obliquely above.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present lower vehicle-body structure ofthe vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present lower vehicle-body structure ofthe vehicle in which a floor panel is removed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present lower vehicle-body structureof the vehicle taken along a horizontal plane at a specified level.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are explanatory views of an attachment structure ofa front tunnel member to a vehicle body according to the presentembodiment and modifications.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front tunnel member, when viewedfrom obliquely below.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are bottom views of the front tunnel memberaccording to the present embodiment and modifications.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing a vertical relationshipbetween a torque box and an inclination member.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of respectivemembers in the present lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing an operation of the present lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle in a vehicle frontal collision anda vehicle side collision.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing another operation of the presentlower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle in the vehicle frontalcollision.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory views of a lower vehicle-bodystructure of the vehicle of another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a lower vehicle-body structure of thevehicle of another embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of a lower vehicle-bodystructure of the vehicle of another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a vehicle front side showing a lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described referring tothe drawings. In the drawings, an arrow F shows a font side of a vehiclebody, an arrow U shows an upper side of the vehicle body, an arrow INshows an inward side of the vehicle body, and an arrow OUT shows anoutward side of the vehicle body.

The drawings show a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle V of thepresent embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle, when viewed from obliquely above,FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present lower vehicle-body structure ofthe vehicle, FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present lower vehicle-bodystructure of the vehicle, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lineA-A of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle taken along a horizontal plane ata specified level.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3, and FIGS. 7A,7B and 7C are explanatory views of an attachment structure of a fronttunnel member to a vehicle body of the present embodiment andmodifications. Specifically, FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of an area Z2of FIG. 6, FIG. 7B is an explanatory view of a modification, whichcorresponds to FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is an explanatory view of furtheranother modification, which corresponds to FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is aperspective view of the front tunnel member, when viewed from obliquelybelow, and FIG. 9A is a bottom view of the front tunnel member of thepresent embodiment and FIGS. 9B, 9C and 9D are bottom views of the fronttunnel member of modifications. FIG. 10A is a bottom view of a left-sidefront portion of the present lower vehicle-body structure of thevehicle, and FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG.10A. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of respectivemembers in the present lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle,FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing an operation of the present lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle in a vehicle frontal collision anda vehicle side collision, which focuses on a load transmitted to eachmember, and FIG. 13A is a view showing another operation of the presentlower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle in the vehicle frontalcollision and FIG. 13B is a view showing an operation of the presentlower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle, which corresponds to FIG.5. FIGS. 3, 11, 12A and 12B show a state in which a floor panel 2 isremoved, respectively.

The vehicle V according to the present embodiment comprises, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, a dash panel 1 which partitions an engine room E from avehicle compartment (not illustrated) and the floor panel 2 which formsa bottom face of the vehicle compartment. The dash panel 1 is providedto rise from a front end of the floor panel 2. The vehicle V furthercomprises a pair of side sills 3, 3 which extend in a vehiclelongitudinal direction on both outward sides, in a vehicle widthdirection, of the floor panel 2.

The side sills 3 have a closed cross section, respectively, as shown inFIG. 4 and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction at both-sideedge portions, in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle V. Thefloor panel 2 is connected to the both-side side sill 3 (see FIGS. 1, 2and 4). Specifically, the side sill 3 comprises an inner panel 3 nhaving a U-shaped cross section and an outer panel 3 u, which are joinedtogether at their upper-and-lower end portions so as to form the closedcross section. An outward end portion of the floor panel 2 is joined toa lower portion of an inward wall face of the inner panel 3 n of theside sill 3 (see FIG. 4).

At the vehicle V are, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, provided right-and-lefthinge pillars 4 which extend upward from respective front positions ofthe right-and-left side sills 3 and right-and-left center pillars 5which extend upward from respective middle positions, in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, of the right-and-left side sills 3.

The hinge pillar 4 comprises a hinge pillar outer 4 u and a hinge pillarinner 4 n, which form a hinge-pillar closed cross section which extendsvertically. The hinge pillar 4 is a vehicle-body rigidity member topivotally support a front door, not illustrated. The hinge pillar 4 isfixed vertically between a roof side rail 6 and the side sill 3, andhinge pillar reinforcements 4 r, 4 s are provided between the hingepillar outer 4 u and the hinge pillar inner 4 n as required (see FIG.4).

Herein, a connection portion of the hinge pillar 4 and the side sill 3(the skirts of the hinge pillar 4) is configured such that itslongitudinal width becomes larger toward a lower end portion of thehinge pillar 4 (see FIG. 1).

The center pillar 5 comprises a center pillar outer 5 u and a centerpillar inner 5 n, which form a center-pillar closed cross section whichextends vertically. The center pillar 5 is a vehicle-body rigiditymember to pivotally support a rear door, not illustrated. The centerpillar 5 is fixed vertically between the roof side rail 6 and the sidesill 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). Herein, a connection portion of the centerpillar 5 and the side sill 3 (the skirts of the center pillar 5) isconfigured such that its longitudinal width becomes larger toward alower end portion of the center pillar 5 (see FIG. 1).

Herein, a space enclosed by the hinge pillar 4, the side sill 3, thecenter pillar 5, and the roof side rail 6 is set to be an ingress/egressopening 50F (door opening portion) for a passenger seated in a frontseat, and a space enclosed by the center pillar 5, the side sill 3, aquarter pillar (not illustrated), and the roof side rail 6 is set to bean ingress/egress opening 50R (door opening portion) for a passengerseated in a rear seat (see FIG. 1).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the vehicle V is provided with a pair ofright-and-left front side frames 7 which extend in the vehiclelongitudinal direction on both sides of the engine room E in front ofthe dash panel 1. The front side frame 7 has a rectangular closed crosssection (not illustrated). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rear portion ofthe front side frame 7 is joined to a lower portion of the dash panel 1.At a rear end portion of the front side frame 7 is provided a front sideframe extension portion 11 below the floor panel 2, which is configuredto be continuous from the rear end portion of the front side frame 7,extend obliquely inward and rearward, and be connected to a frontportion of a tunnel side frame 9, which will be described below.

The above-described front side frame extension portion 11 is attached toa lower face portion (a back face) of the floor panel 2 so as to form afront side frame extension portion closed-cross section portion 11Stogether with a lower face portion (a back face) of a floor tunnel 8 asshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

The floor tunnel 8 which extends in the vehicle longitudinal directionand protrudes upward (to a vehicle-compartment side) is, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, provided at a central portion, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the floor panel 2. A front end portion of the floor tunnel8 is connected to the dash panel 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a pair of right-and-left tunnel sideframes 9 for reinforcing the floor tunnel 8 are attached to both edgeportions of a lower face portion of the floor tunnel 8. Specifically,the both-side tunnel side frames 9, 9 are provided to extend straightlyin the vehicle longitudinal direction roughly in parallel to each other,having a roughly constant distance therebetween, at a border area of thefloor panel 2 and an outward-side flat portion of the floor tunnel 8.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7A, the tunnel side frame 9 includes a U-shapedportion 9 a having a U-shaped (hat-shaped) cross section which opensupward. The U-shaped portion 9 a comprises a bottom face portion 91, anouter face portion 92, and an inner face portion 93, and this U-shapedportion 9 a is attached to a lower face portion of the border portion ofthe floor tunnel 8 and the floor panel 2 so as to form a tunnel sideframe closed cross section portion 9S together with the lower faceportion (back face) of the floor tunnel 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a rear end portion of the floor tunnel 8 isconnected to a kick-up portion 12 (a kick-up panel 12) which risesobliquely upward from the floor panel 2.

The rear floor panel 13 is connected to the rear end portion of theabove-described floor panel 2 via the kick-up portion 12.

Moreover, a pair of side sill rears 14, 14 which extend in thelongitudinal direction of the vehicle V are fixedly joined to bothsides, in the vehicle width direction, of the rear floor panel 13,respective front end portions of which are continuous from respectiverear end portions of the right-and-left side sills 3 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at each rear portion of the front side frames7 is provided a torque box 15 which extends obliquely outward andrearward from this rear portion. This torque box 15 is a vehicle-bodyrigidity member to increase the vehicle-body rigidity, and an outwardend portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the torque box 15 isdirectly joined to a front end of the side sill 3 so as to have a closedcross section 15S to effectively transmit a load applied to the frontside frame 7.

Further, at an upper face portion of the floor panel 2 are, as shown inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4, provided a pair of right-and-left longitudinal members16 (floor frames) which extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction,slanting outward, so as to form a closed cross section together withthis upper face portion. The pair of right-and-left longitudinal members16 are provided to overlap, in a plan view, with respective branchportions D of the torque boxes 15 arranged at the lower face portion ofthe floor panel 2 and the front side frame extension portions 11 (seeFIGS. 1-3).

A rear portion of the longitudinal member 16 is connected near to acentral portion of a floor upper inclination member 32, which will bedescribed, specifically a portion of the floor upper inclination member32 which is positioned outward, in the vehicle width direction, from thecenter of the floor upper inclination member 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

Moreover, as shown by imaginary line s in FIG. 1, a rail-shaped seatbracket 60 as a seat structure member for a vehicle to attach a frontseat for a passenger (not illustrated) is provided at the lower part ofthe vehicle V.

Specifically, a pair of rail-shaped seat brackets 60 are provided toextend roughly in parallel to each other at an inward-side position andan outward-side position of the floor panel 2 on each side of thevehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates the pair of seat brackets 60, 60 provided onthe right side of the vehicle only.

A front end portion of one of the pair of seat brackets 60, 60 which ispositioned at the outward-side position is supported at a seat supportmember 17.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the seat support member 17 is arranged at theupper face portion of the floor panel 2 in front of the floor upperinclination member 32, projecting inward from the side sill 3, and aninward end, in the vehicle width direction, of the seat support member17 is joined to the longitudinal member 16.

Herein, while the seat support member 17 supports the rail-shaped seatbracket 60 which is the seat structure member of the vehicle in thepresent embodiment, the present invention is not limited to thisstructure and the seat for a passenger which is the seat structuremember for the vehicle may be directly supported without the seatbracket 60.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, a pair of right-and-left apronreinforcements 18 are provided to extend in the longitudinal directionroughly in parallel to the front side frames 7 in the plan view at aposition located outward and above the front side frames 7 at the frontportion of the vehicle V.

The apron reinforcement 18 is a vehicle-body rigidity member which hasan apron reinforcement closed cross section extending in the vehiclelongitudinal direction and a rear end portion of which is joined to anupper end portion of the hinge pillar 4.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a cross member 30 (No. 2.5 cross member30), which extends straightly in the vehicle width directionsubstantially at the same position, in the vehicle longitudinaldirection, as the center pillar 5 is connected to the side sill 3 andthe floor tunnel 8, is provided above the floor panel 2.

The cross member 30 is attached to the upper face portion of the floorpanel 2 so as to form a cross member closed cross section portion 30Stogether with an upper face portion of the floor tunnel 8 (see FIG. 3).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, there are provided a pair ofdiagonally-extending inclination members 20, 31, 32 at the lower portionof the vehicle V, which are configured to interconnect respectiveconnection portions CFr, CFl of the side sills 3 and the hinge pillars 4and respective connection portions CRl, CRr of the other-side side sills3 and the center pillars 5. The pair of diagonally-extending inclinationmembers 20, 31, 32 are formed in a substantially X shape in the planview by a front tunnel member 20, down-floor inclination members 31, andunder-floor inclination members 32.

The front tunnel member 20, which is a member positioned at a crossposition of the X-shaped diagonally-extending inclination members 20,31, 32, is located substantially at the same position as a connectionposition of the under-floor inclination member 31 to the tunnel sideframe 9 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3), andarranged substantially at the same longitudinal position as a positionwhere the upper-floor inclination member 32 overlaps with the tunnelside frame 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9A, the front tunnel member 20 comprisesan X-shaped portion 21 and is provided to extend over the floor tunnel 8and connect both sides of a lower portion of the floor tunnel 8.Thereby, a load from the upper-floor inclination member 32, or a loadfrom the under-floor inclination member 31 is transmitted to an oppositeside, in the vehicle width direction, of the lower portion of the floortunnel 8.

The X-shaped portion 21 includes ridgeline portions 22 (inclinationportions) which respectively connect the under-floor inclination members31 and the upper-floor inclination members 32 roughly straightly andcross in a roughly X shape in the plan view (see the same figures).Herein, a bead portion 21 a which protrudes downward and is formed in anX shape is provided at a lower face of the cross portion of the X-shapedportion 21 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9A).

The front tunnel member 20 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, afirst face portion 261 which extends in the vehicle width direction,facing to the bottom face portion 91 of the tunnel side frame 9 (thetunnel side member 9), a second face portion 262 which extends upwardfrom an inward end, in the vehicle width direction, of the first faceportion 261, facing to the inner face portion 93 of the tunnel sideframe 9, and a third face portion 263 which extends inward from an upperend of the second face portion 262.

Further, the front tunnel member 20 has through holes 29 which openvertically at both-side portions in the bottom view which arerespectively enclosed by the first face portions 261 and the X-shapedportion 21 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9A). The front tunnel member 20further includes a lower panel 23 and an upper panel 24 which ispositioned above the lower panel 23 (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

The lower panel 23 is configured in a recess shape to be concaveddownward in a roughly X shape relative to a portion corresponding to thethird face portion 263, i.e., front and rear edge portions of theX-shaped portion 21 and a peripheral portion of the through hole 29,such that a portion corresponding to the ridgeline portions 22 issubstantially continuous to the first face portion 261.

The upper panel 24 is configured substantially in the same shape as thelower panel 23 in the plan view, and the first face portion 261 of theupper panel 24 is configured stepwise via the vertically-extendingsecond face portion 262 such that it is positioned at a lower level thanthe flat-shaped third face portion 263 (see the same figures).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the front tunnel member 20 is arranged belowthe floor tunnel 8 in a state in which the upper panel 24 and the lowerpanel 23 face to each other vertically such that a closed-cross sectionportion 20S (hereafter, referred to as “front tunnel member closed-crosssection portion 20S”) is formed at the X-shaped portion 21.

Herein, the first face portion 261 of the front tunnel member 20 and thebottom face portion 91 of the tunnel side frame 9 face to each other,and the second face portion 262 of the front tunnel member 20 and theinner face portion 93 of the tunnel side frame 9 face to each other (seeFIGS. 4, 6, 7A and 8).

The front tunnel member 20 is fastened to plural points of the bothouter edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the floor tunnel 8 ofthe floor panel 2 with bolts B and nuts N as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7A,8 and 9A. The front tunnel member 20 is fastened to the tunnel sideframes 9 at fastening portions 25 (25 u, 25 n) in a state in which theupper panel 24 and the lower panel 23 are formed integrally by beingfastened together with the bolts B and nuts N.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the front tunnel member 20 isattached to the vehicle body with the bolts B and nuts N by fasteningthe first face portion 261 to the bottom face portion 91 of the tunnelside frame 9 and fastening the third face portion 263 to the floortunnel 8 via the bracket 19.

Herein, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, 8 and 9, the fastening portion 25 wherethe first face portion 261 is fastened to the bottom face portion 91 ofthe tunnel side frame 9 is set to be the outside fastening portions 25u, and the fastening portion 25 where the third face portion 263 isfastened to the floor tunnel 8 is set to be the inside fasteningportions 25 n.

Herein, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9A, the front tunnel member 20 isconfigured such that pairs of outside fastening portions 25 u and insidefastening portions 25 n are respectively arranged at a front endportion, a middle portion, and a rear end portion of that on both sidesin the vehicle width direction, thereof. These pairs of outsidefastening portions 25 u and inside fastening portions 25 n are providedsubstantially at the same positions in the vehicle longitudinaldirection.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the respective outsidefastening portions 25 u at the front end portion, the middle portion,and the rear end portion of the front tunnel member 20 are set to be anoutside front end fastening portion 25 uf, an outside middle fasteningportion 25 um, and an outside rear end fastening portion 25 ur, and alsothe respective inside fastening portions 25 n at the front end portion,the middle portion, and the rear end portion of the front tunnel member20 are set to be an inside front end fastening portion 25 nf, an insidemiddle fastening portion 25 nm, and an inside rear end fastening portion25 nr. The outside front end fastening portion 25 uf and the insidefront end fastening portion 25 nf are provided substantially at the samefront-end position of the front tunnel member 20 in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, the outside middle fastening portion 25 um andthe inside middle fastening portion 25 nm are provided substantially atthe same middle position of the front tunnel member 20 in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, and the outside rear end fastening portion 25 urand the inside rear end fastening portion 25 nr are providedsubstantially at the same rear-end position of the front tunnel member20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see the same figures).

Herein, the inside front end fastening portion 25 nf is the one forfastening the front end portion of the X-shaped portion 21 having thefront tunnel member closed-cross section portion 20S, the inside rearend fastening portion 25 nr is the one for fastening the rear endportion of the X-shaped portion 21, and the inside middle fasteningportion 25 nm is the one for fastening a middle portion, in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, of a pair of ridgeline portions 22, 22 formingthe X-shaped portion 21 (see FIGS. 8 and 9A).

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the above-described front tunnel member 20has a closed-cross section portion 20Sv which is of a roughly V shapeopening rearward in the plan view (hereafter, referred to as “fronttunnel member V-shaped closed-cross section portion 20Sv”) at a lowerhalf, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the X-shaped fronttunnel member closed-cross section portion 20S. The front tunnel memberV-shaped closed-cross section portion 20Sv is configured to becontinuous to the upper-floor inclination member 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Subsequently, the above-described under-floor inclination members 31will be described referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. A pair of under-floorinclination members 31 are positioned in front of the cross portion ofthe X-shaped diagonally-extending inclination members 20, 31, 32 at bothoutward sides of the floor tunnel 8 of the floor panel 2. Theunder-floor inclination members 31 are provided below the floor panel 3to extend obliquely rearward and inward from the connection portionsCFr, CFl of the side sills 3 and the hinge pillars 4.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the under-floor inclination member 31 has aU-shaped portion which opens upward and flange portions which extendoutward, in the vehicle width direction, from side end portions of itsopening. These flange portions are joined to the lower face portion ofthe floor panel 2, so that a closed-cross section portion 31S(hereafter, referred to as “under-floor inclination member closed-crossportion 31S”) is formed between the under-floor inclination member 31and the lower face portion of the floor panel 2.

A front end of the under-floor inclination member 31 is joined to thefront end of the side sill 3 via the torque box 15 as shown in FIGS. 2,3 and 10A. That is, as shown by an area Z3 in FIG. 10B, at the front endof the side sill 3 are joined together the front-end lower portion ofthe side sill 3, the torque box 15, and the under-floor inclinationmember 31 in order from above. Herein, reference character 52 in FIG.10B denotes a reinforcing member.

Meanwhile, a rear portion of the under-floor inclination member 31 isintegrally connected to a rear portion of the front side flame extensionportion 11 and joined to a front end of the tunnel side frame 9 as shownin FIGS. 2, 3 and 10A. Further, at least a single ridgeline portion 31U(an upper face portion 31U) of the both-side under-floor inclinationmembers 31 and at least a single ridgeline portion 22 of the X-shapedportion 21 of the front tunnel member 20 are configured to be positionedsubstantially in line in the plan view, thereby improving theload-transmission performance.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pair of upper-floor inclinationmembers 32 described above (inclination No. 2 cross 32) are positionedin back of the cross portion of the X-shaped diagonally-extendinginclination members 20, 31, 32 at both the outward sides of the floortunnel 8 of the floor panel 2. Respective outward rear portions of theupper-floor inclination members 32 are joined to the connection portionsCRl, CRr of the side sills 3 and the center pillars 5, and theupper-floor inclination members 32 are arranged above the floor panel 2such that they extend obliquely forward and inward from the connectionportions CRl, CRr, in other words, from a position located in front ofthe connection portions C30 of the side sills 3 and the cross member 30(see FIG. 3) at an area located in back of the longitudinal members 16(see the same figures).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the upper-floor inclination member 32 has aU-shaped portion which opens downward and flange portions which extendoutward, in the vehicle width direction, from side end portions of theopening. These flange portions are joined to the upper face portion ofthe floor panel 2, so that a closed-cross section portion 32S(hereafter, referred to as “upper-floor inclination member closed-crossportion 32S”) is formed between the upper-floor inclination member 32and the upper face portion of the floor panel 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a front end portion of the upper-floorinclination member 32 is joined to a portion of a side edge portion ofthe floor tunnel 8 which corresponds to the rear end of the front tunnelmember 20 such that the upper-floor inclination member 32 is straightlycontinuous to the ridgeline portion 22 of the X-shaped portion 21.Herein, a position of the rear end of the front tunnel member 20substantially corresponds to an arrangement position of the seat supportmember 17 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see FIG. 3).

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper-floor inclination memberclosed-cross portion 32S and the front tunnel member closed-crosssection portion 20S are configured to overlap with each other in thevehicle width direction in the front view at a joint position where thefront end portion of the upper-floor inclination member 32 is joined tothe side edge portion of the floor tunnel 8.

Meanwhile, as shown at a frame structure L1 illustrated by imaginarylines in FIG. 2, the under-floor inclination member 31, the front sideframe extension portion 11, and the tunnel side frame 9 are all arrangedbelow the floor panel 2 and formed in a rightly Y shape in the frontview.

Further, as shown at a frame structure L2 illustrated by imaginary linesin FIG. 5, the front tunnel member closed-cross section portion 20S, thetunnel side frame closed-cross section portion 9S, the front side frameextension portion closed-cross section portion 11S, and the under-floorinclination member closed-cross section portion 31S form together aroughly Y shape in the plan view, and at least part of theseclosed-cross section portions 20S, 9S, 11S, 31S is formed in the sameplane. In the present embodiment, all of the closed-cross sectionportions 20S, 9S, 11S, 31S including the torque-box closed-cross sectionportion 15S (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are formed in the same plane.

Moreover, as shown at a frame structure L31 illustrated by imaginarylines in FIG. 11, the under-floor inclination member 31, the front sideframe extension portion 11, and the torque box 15 are configured to forma triangular shape in the plan view. Meanwhile, as shown at a framestructure L32 illustrated by imaginary lines in FIG. 11, a one-side halfpart of the X-shaped portion 21 of the front tunnel member 20 includingthe cross portion and the tunnel side frame 9 are configured to formanother triangular shape. Thus, a pair of triangular-shaped framestructures L31, L32 with their peaks abutting on each other in the planview are provided at the lower portion of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rear tunnel member 40 which straightlyextends over the floor panel 8 and interconnects the both sides of thelower face of the floor tunnel 8 of the floor panel 2 is provided at aposition located in back of the front tunnel member 20, specifically atthe same longitudinal position as an arrangement position of the crossmember 30. The rear tunnel member 40 is provided to be roughlystraightly continuous to the cross member 30 extending in the vehiclewidth direction in the plan view (see FIG. 3). The rear tunnel member 40comprises an upper panel (not illustrated) and a lower panel 40D, andhas a rear tunnel member closed-cross section portion 40S which isformed by these panels joined vertically and extends straightly in thevehicle width direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Herein, as shown at a frame structure L4 illustrated by imaginary linesin FIG. 11, the upper-floor inclination member closed-cross sectionportions 32S, the cross member closed-cross section portions 30S, thefront tunnel member V-shaped closed-cross section portion 20Sv, and therear tunnel member closed-cross section portion 40S are configured toform a roughly triangular shape in the plan view.

The lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of the above-describedembodiment can provide the following operation and effects. The lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of the present embodimentcomprises the right-and-left side sills 3, 3 which extend in the vehiclelongitudinal direction at the both outward sides, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the vehicle body, the right-and-left hinge pillars 4, 4which extend upward from the respective front positions of theright-and-left side sills 3, 3, the right-and-left center pillars 5, 5which extend upward from the respective middle positions, in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, of the right-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floorpanel 2 which is connected to the right-and-left side sills 3, 3, thefloor tunnel 8 which protrudes upward at the central portion of thefloor panel 2, and a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members20, 31, 32 which are formed in the substantially X shape in the planview and provided above or below the floor panel 2, each of the pair ofinclination members 20, 31, 32 being configured to interconnect theconnection portions CFr, CFl of one of the right-and-left side sills 3and the hinge pillar 4 and the connection portions CRl, CRr of the otherof the right-and-left side sills 3 and the center pillar 5 (see FIGS.1-3, particularly the load F in FIG. 3).

According to the present lower vehicle-body structure, theload-transmission performance between the hinge pillar 4 provided at thefront end of the one-side side sill 3 and the center pillar 5 providedat the other-side side sill 3 can be improved in the SOL or vehicle sidecollisions.

Specifically, when the vehicle has the frontal collision, theunder-floor inclination member 31 can transmit the load from the sidesill 3 to the tunnel side frame 9, and the upper-floor inclinationmember 32 can transmit the load from the tunnel side frame 9 to the sidesill 3. When the vehicle has the side collision, the upper-floorinclination member 32 can transmit the load from the side sill 3 to thetunnel side frame 9, and the under-floor inclination member 31 cantransmit the load from the tunnel side frame 9 to the side sill 3.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the pair ofinclination members 20, 31, 32 comprise the under-floor inclinationmembers 31 which are provided below the floor panel 2 and extendobliquely rearward and inward, in the vehicle width direction, from theconnection portions CFr, CFl of the right-and-left side sills 3 and theright-and-left hinge pillars 4, the upper-floor inclination members 32which are provided above the floor panel 2 and extend obliquely forwardand inward, in the vehicle width direction, from the connection portionsCRl, CRr of the left-and-right side sills 3 and the left-and-rightcenter pillars 5, and the front tunnel member 20 as the tunnel membercomprising the roughly X-shaped portion 21 (see FIGS. 1-3).

According to this embodiment, the load transmission between the hingepillar 4 provided at the front end of the side sill 3 and the centerpillar 5 provided at the opposite-side side sill 3 in the SOL or vehicleside collisions can be achieved with the lightweight structure (see theload F in FIG. 3).

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the inside of theX-shaped portion 21 of the front tunnel member 20 is the closed-crosssection portion 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the front tunnel memberclosed-cross section portion 20S as the closed-cross section portion 20Sof the roughly X-shaped portion 21 of the front tunnel member 20 isconfigured to overlap with, in the vehicle width direction, theupper-floor inclination closed-cross section portion 32S as theclosed-cross section portion which is formed by the upper-floorinclination member 32 and the floor panel 2 in the front view of thevehicle (see FIG. 4).

According to this embodiment, since the closed-cross section portions20S, 32S have overlapping, the load can be transmitted properly withoutgenerating any bucking or the like which may be caused by stressconcentration on a specified portion. Thereby, the above-describedeffect that the load transmission between the hinge pillar 4 and theopposite-side center pillar 5 in the SOL or vehicle side collisions canbe achieved can be further enhanced.

Further, the lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of thepresent embodiment comprises the right-and-left side sills 3, 3 whichextend in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the both outward sides,in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle body, the right-and-leftcenter pillars 5, 5 as pillars which extend upward from the respectivemiddle positions, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of theright-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floor panel 2 which is connected tothe right-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floor tunnel 8 which protrudesupward at the central portion of the floor panel 2, the cross members 30which extend substantially in the vehicle width direction roughly at thesame longitudinal position as the center pillars 5 and connect to theside sills 3 and the floor tunnel 8, and the upper-floor inclinationmembers 32 which are provided above the floor panel 2, extend obliquelyforward and inward from the positions located in front of the connectionportions C30, and connect to the floor tunnel 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

According to this structure, as shown in FIG. 12B, a load Fs inputted tothe lower portion of the center pillar 5 in the vehicle side collisioncan be efficiently transmitted through plural load paths, such as thecross member 30 or the inclination member 32 (see loads Fs1, Fs2 in FIG.12B).

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the front tunnelmember 20 which interconnect the right-and-left lower portions of thefloor tunnel 8 is provided substantially at the same longitudinalposition as the connection location where the upper-floor inclinationmember 32 is connected to the floor tunnel 8 (see FIG. 3).

According to this structure, the load inputted to the lower portion ofthe center pillar 5 in the vehicle side collision can be efficientlytransmitted to the opposite side in the vehicle width direction (see theload F in FIG. 3).

Moreover, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the reartunnel member 40 interconnecting the right-and-left lower portions ofthe floor tunnel 8 is provided at the connection position of the crossmember 30 to the floor tunnel 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the fronttunnel member 20 includes the front tunnel member V-shaped closed-crosssection portion 20Sv which is the roughly V-shaped closed-cross sectionportion opening rearward in the plan view which is provided to becontinuous to the upper-floor inclination member 32 (see FIG. 5). Also,the upper-floor inclination member closed-cross section portions 32Swhich are the closed-cross section portions formed by the upper floorinclination members 32 and the floor panel 2 (see FIG. 4), the crossmember closed-cross section portions 30S which are the closed-crosssection portions formed by the cross members 30 and the floor panel 2,the front tunnel member V-shaped closed-cross section portion 20Sv, andthe rear tunnel member closed-cross section portion 40S which is theclosed-cross section portion of the rear tunnel member 40 form togetherthe roughly triangular shape in the plan view (see FIG. 11).

According to this structure, since the triangular shape (trussconfiguration) in the plan view is formed by these closed-cross sectionportions 20Sv, 30S, 32S, 40S, the strength against the vehicle sidecollision can be increased, and the above-described effect that the loadinputted to the lower portion of the center pillar 5 can be efficientlytransmitted through the plural load paths in the vehicle side collisioncan be further enhanced.

Further, the lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of thepresent embodiment comprises the right-and-left side sills 3, 3 whichextend in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the both outward sides,in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle body, the floor panel 2which is connected to the right-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floortunnel 8 which protrudes upward at the central portion of the floorpanel 2, the dash panel 1 which extends upward from the front portion ofthe floor panel 2, the right-and-left front side frames 7, 7 whichextend in the vehicle longitudinal direction in front of the dash panel1, the torque boxes 15 which extend obliquely rearward and outward fromthe rear portions of the front side frames 7 and connect to the frontportions of the side sills 3, the tunnel side frames 9, 9 which areprovided below the floor panel 2 to extend in the vehicle longitudinaldirection along the both sides, in the vehicle width direction, of thefloor tunnel 8, the front side frame extension portions 11 which extendobliquely rearward and inward from the rear portions of the front sideframes 7, 7 and connect to the front portions of the tunnel side frames9, and the right-and-left longitudinal members 16 which are configuredsuch that their respective front end portions overlap with therespective branch portions D of the torque boxes 15 provided at the rearportions of the front side frames 7 and the front side frame extensionportions 11 in the plan view and extend obliquely rearward and outward,respectively (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

According to the above-described structure, as shown in FIG. 12A, afrontal-collision load Ff is dispersed and transmitted by being dividedinto three directions as a load Ff1 acting along the torque box 15, aload Ff2 acting on the front side frame extension portion 11, and a loadFf3 acting along the longitudinal member 16, so that theload-transmission efficiency in the vehicle frontal collision can beimproved.

Also, according to the embodiment of the present invention, thelongitudinal members 16 are provided above the floor panel 2, theupper-floor inclination members 32 which extend obliquely forward andinward from the right-and-left side sills 3 at the position located inback of the longitudinal members 16 and connect to the floor tunnel 8are provided above the floor panel 2, and the rear portion of thelongitudinal member 16 is connected to the middle portion of theupper-floor inclination member 32 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4).

According to this structure, the load-transmission efficiency in thevehicle frontal collision can be improved by the above-describeddispersion and transmission of the frontal-collision load Ff to thethree directions (see the loads Ff1, Ff2, Ff3 in FIG. 12A).

Further, according to the present invention, the seat support members 17which support the seat brackets 60 as the seat structure member for thevehicle are provided to protrude inward, in the vehicle width direction,from the side sills 3 at the positions located in front of theupper-floor inclination members 32, and the longitudinal members 16 arejoined to the seat support members 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

According to this structure, the frontal-collision load Ff can bedispersed and transmitted by being further divided into anotherdirection as a load Ff4 acting along the seat support member 17 (seeFIG. 12A), and also the support rigidity of the seat bracket 60 can beimproved.

Further, the lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of thepresent embodiment comprises the right-and-left side sills 3, 3extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the both outwardsides, in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle body, the floorpanel 2 connected to the right-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floortunnel 8 protruding upward at the central portion of the floor panel 2,the tunnel side frames 9, 9 extending in the vehicle longitudinaldirection along the both sides, in the vehicle width direction, of thefloor tunnel 8, and the front tunnel member 20 connecting theright-and-left lower portions of the floor tunnel 8, wherein the tunnelside frame 9 includes the U-shaped portion 9 a having the U-shaped crosssection which opens upward, the U-shaped portion 9 a comprising thebottom face portion 91, the outer face portion 92, and the inner faceportion 93 (see FIGS. 4, 6 and 7A), the front tunnel member 20 comprisesthe first face portion 261 which faces to the bottom face portion 91 ofthe tunnel side frame 9, the second face portion 262 which faces to theinner face portion 93 of the tunnel side frame 9, and the third faceportion 263 which extends inward from the upper end of the second faceportion 262 (see the same figures), and the front tunnel member 20 isattached to the vehicle body by attaching the first face portion 261 tothe bottom face portion 91 of the tunnel side frame 9 and attaching thethird face portion 263 to the floor tunnel 8 via the upper panel 4 andthe bracket 19, respectively (see the same figures).

According to this structure, the front tunnel member 20 can properlycontact the inner face portion 93 of the tunnel side frame 9 when thecollision load is inputted, so that the smooth load transmission at thelower portion of the floor tunnel 8 can be achieved.

Moreover, according to the embodiment of the present invention, theoutside fastening portion 25 u where the first face portion 261 isdirectly fastened to the bottom face portion 91 of the tunnel side frame9 with the bolt B and nut N and the inside fastening portion 25 n wherethe third face portion 263 is fastened to the floor tunnel 8 with thebolt B and nut N via the bracket 19 are arranged substantially at thesame longitudinal position (see FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7A, 8 and 9A).

According to this embodiment, since the plural outside fasteningportions 25 u and the plural inside fastening portions 25 n are arrangedsubstantially at the same longitudinal positions of the front endposition, the roughly central position, and the rear end position,respectively, the structure may not get twisted even if a large load isadded in the vehicle collision. Thereby, the attachment strength can beincreased, compared with a case in which the above-described fasteningportions are arranged at different longitudinal positions, respectively.

According to this embodiment, the above-described effect that theload-transmission performance at the lower portion of the floor tunnel 8can be achieved can be enhanced further.

Also, the lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V of the presentembodiment comprises the right-and-left side sills 3, 3 extending in thevehicle longitudinal direction at the both outward sides, in the vehiclewidth direction, of the vehicle body, the floor panel 2 connected to theright-and-left side sills 3, 3, the floor tunnel 8 protruding upward atthe central portion of the floor panel 2, the dash panel 1 extendingupward from the front portion of the floor panel 2, the right-and-leftfront side frames 7, 7 extending in the vehicle longitudinal directionin front of the dash panel 1, and the tunnel side frames 9, 9 extendingin the vehicle longitudinal direction along the both sides, in thevehicle width direction, of the floor tunnel 8, wherein the front sideframe extension portion 11 which is provided below the floor panel 2 toconnect the rear portion of the front side frame 7 and the front portionof the tunnel side frame 9, the under-floor inclination member 31 whichis provided below the floor panel 2 to connect the connection portionCFr or CFl of the side sill 3 and the hinge pillar 4 and the frontportion of the tunnel side frame 9, and the tunnel side frame 9 areformed in the rightly Y shape in the plan view (see L1 illustrated bythe imaginary lines in FIG. 2).

According to this structure, as shown in FIG. 13A, the front-collisionload Ff is transmitted and dispersed to the side sill 3 and theunder-floor inclination member 31 (see the loads Ff1, Ff2), and also theloads Ff2, Ff3 which are transmitted through the under-floor inclinationmember 31 and the front side frame extension portion 11 are intensivelytransmitted to the tunnel side frame 9 on the rear side where the loaddecreases (see the load Ff4), so that the load transmission can beachieved efficiently with the light structure.

According to the present embodiment, the front tunnel member 20 as thetunnel member which connects the right-and-left lower portions of thefloor tunnel 8 is provided, this front tunnel member 20 includes thefront tunnel member closed-cross section portion 20S as the closed-crosssection portion which extends obliquely relative to the vehiclelongitudinal direction in the plan view, and further the front tunnelmember closed-cross section portion 20S, the tunnel side frameclosed-cross section portion 9S as the closed-cross section portionwhich is formed by the tunnel side frame 9, the front side frameextension portion closed-cross section portion 11S as the close-crosssection portion which is formed by the front side frame extensionportion 11 and the floor panel 2, and the under-floor inclination memberclosed-cross section portion 31S are configured to form the roughly Xshape in the plan view, wherein these closed-cross section portions 20S,9S, 11S, 31S are formed on the same plane (see L2 illustrated byimaginary lines in FIG. 5).

According to this structure, as shown in FIG. 13B, since theclosed-cross section portions 20S, 9S, 11S, 31S are formed continuouslyon the same plane, the efficient load dispersion, including the loadtransmission to the opposite side in the vehicle width direction (seethe load Ff5), when the frontal-collision loads Ff2, Ff3 are inputtedcan be achieved (see the loads Ff2-Ff5 in FIG. 13B).

Moreover, in the present embodiment, there are provided a pair of centerpillars 5, 5 extending upward from the respective middle positions, inthe vehicle longitudinal direction, of the right-and-left side sills 3,3, and the upper-floor inclination members 32 connect to the connectionportions CRl, CRr of the side sills 3 and the center pillars 5 (seeFIGS. 1, 3 and 4).

According to this structure, the performance of the load transmissionfrom the center pillar 5 to the upper-floor inclination member 32 can beimproved, thereby achieving the efficient transmission of theside-collision load Fs from the center pillar 5 (see the loads Fs1, Fs2in FIG. 12B).

Further, in the present embodiment, there are provided theright-and-left under-floor inclination members 31, 31 which are providedbelow the floor panel 2 and extend obliquely rearward and inward fromthe respective front portions of the right-and-left side sills 3, 3, thefront tunnel member 20 includes the X-shaped portion 21 which is of theX shape in the plan view, and at least the single upper face portions31U (ridgeline portion) of the under-floor inclination member 31 (seeFIG. 2) and at least the single ridgeline portion 22 are arranged on theroughly straight line in the plan view (see FIGS. 2-5). According tothis structure, the load-transmission performance can be furtherenhanced.

In correspondence between the present invention and the above-describedembodiment, the tunnel member corresponds to the front tunnel member 20.Likewise, the roughly X-shaped portion corresponds to the X-shapedportion 21, the close-cross section portion of the roughly X-shapedportion of the tunnel member corresponds to the front tunnel memberclosed-cross section portion 20S, the closed-cross section portionformed by the upper-floor inclination member and the floor panelcorresponds to the upper-floor inclination member closed-cross sectionportion 32S, the connection portion of the side sill and the hingepillar corresponds to the connection portion CFr or CFl, and theconnection portion of the opposite-side side sill and the center pillarcorresponds to the connection portion CRl or CFr. However, the presentinvention is not to be limited to the above-described embodiment only.

For example, the lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle V accordingto the present invention can include various embodiments, and differentembodiments from the above-described embodiment will be described belowreferring to FIGS. 14-17. Herein, FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatoryviews of a lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle of anotherembodiment, specifically, FIG. 14A being a perspective view of theembodiment which is provided with a bridge at an area Z1 in FIG. 2, andFIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 14A. FIG. 15is a bottom view of a lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle ofanother embodiment. FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of a lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle of another embodiment in which avertical positional relationship of the torque box and the inclinationmember is set upside down, specifically, FIG. 16A being a bottom view ofa front portion of a left side of the lower vehicle-body structure ofthe embodiment, and FIG. 16B being a sectional view taken along line E-Eof FIG. 16A. FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a vehicle front side showing alower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle of another embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a connecting member 80(bridge) which connects the lower face of the tunnel side frame 9 andthe lower face of the floor panel 2 may be provided to at leastpartially overlap with the upper-floor inclination member 32 in the planview.

Specifically, the connecting member 80 comprises a tunnel side framejoint piece 81, a floor panel joint piece 82, and a connection portion83 which are formed integrally.

The tunnel side frame joint piece 81 is formed in a plane shape so as tocontact the bottom face portion 91 (lower face) of the tunnel side frame9.

The floor panel joint piece 82 is formed in a plane shape so as tocontact the lower face of the floor panel 2 and extends obliquelyoutward and rearward from the outer face portion 92 of the tunnel sideframe 9 in the plan view (see FIG. 14A).

The connection portion 83, which connects the tunnel side frame jointpiece 81 and the floor panel joint piece 82, and, as shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B, comprises a slant connection face 84 which slants rearward,downward and outward, wall faces 85 which form both-side side faces, ina width direction, of the slant connection face 84, and connectionpieces 86 which are provided to contact the outer face portion 92 of thetunnel side frame 9 and vertically connect the tunnel side frame jointpiece 81 and the floor panel joint piece 82.

The connecting member 80 is configured such that the tunnel side framejoint piece 81 is joined to the bottom face portion 91 of the tunnelside frame 9 by welding or the like and the floor panel joint piece 82is joined to the lower face of the floor panel 2 and a flange portion(upper face) of the tunnel side frame 9 by welding or the like.

According to this structure, since the connecting member 80 connects thelower face of the tunnel side frame 9 and the lower face of the floorpanel 2 such that the floor panel joint piece 82 at least partiallyoverlaps with the upper-floor inclination member 32 in the plan view,the load transmission performance of a portion where the tunnel sideframe closed-cross section portion 9S and the upper-floor inclinationmember closed-cross section portion 32S are offset vertically in thefront view can be improved.

Further, while the right-and-left floor front inclination members whichare provided in front of the front tunnel member 20 of the floor panel 2to extend obliquely rearward and inward from the connection portionsCFr, CFl of the side sills 3 and the hinge pillars 4 are set to be theunder-floor inclination members 31 provided below the floor panel 2 andalso the right-and-left floor rear inclination members which areprovided in back of the front tunnel member 20 of the floor panel 2 toextend obliquely forward and inward from the connection portions CRl,CRr of the side sills 3 and the center pillars 5 are set to be theupper-floor inclination members 32 provided above the floor panel 2 inthe above-described embodiment, the preset invention is not to belimited to this structure, but can include any modification.

For example, both of the floor front inclination member and the floorrear inclination member may be provided above the floor panel 2 or belowthe floor panel 2.

Alternatively, contrary to the above-described embodiment, the floorfront inclination member may be set to be an upper-floor inclinationmember 310 provided above the floor panel 2, and the floor rearinclination member may be set to be an under-floor inclination member320 provided below the floor panel 2 as shown in FIG. 15.

This alternative structure can provide the load transmission between thehinge pillar 4 provided at the front end of the side sill 3 and thehinge pillar 4 provided at the opposite-side side sill 3 with thelightweight structure in the SOL or vehicle side collisions, similarlyto the above-described embodiment.

Further, in this case in which the floor front inclination member is setto be the upper-floor inclination member 310 and the floor rearinclination member is set to be the under-floor inclination member 320,the connecting member which connects the lower face of the tunnel sideframe 9 and the lower face of the floor panel 2 may be also configuredto at least partially overlap with the upper-floor inclination member310 (floor front inclination member) provided above the floor panel 2 inthe plan view, which is not illustrated.

Moreover, in the case in which the floor front inclination member is setto be the upper-floor inclination member 310 and the floor rearinclination member is set to be the under-floor inclination member 320,the front tunnel member closed-cross section portion 20S and anupper-floor inclination member closed-cross section portion 310S whichis formed by the upper-floor inclination member 310 (floor frontinclination member) and the floor panel 2 may be configured to overlapwith each other in the vehicle width direction in the front view, whichis not illustrated.

In another embodiment, despite the above-described structure of thefront tunnel member 20 in which the first face portion 261 is attachedto the bottom face portion 91 of the tunnel side frame 9 and the thirdface portion 263 is attached to the floor tunnel 8, the front tunnelmember 20 may be attached to the vehicle body by the fastening portion25 (hereafter, referred to as “middle fastening portion 25 s (25 sf, 25sm, 25 sr)”) which fastens the second face portion 262 to the inner faceportion 93 of the tunnel side frame 9 via the upper panel 24 with a boltB and nut N as shown in FIG. 7B, for example.

According to this embodiment as well, the front tunnel member 20 canproperly contact the inner face portion 93 of the tunnel side frame 9when the collision load is inputted, so that the smooth loadtransmission at the lower portion of the floor tunnel 8 can be achieved.

It is also preferable in another embodiment that the front tunnel member20 be attached to the vehicle body by the outside fastening portion 25 uwhich fastens the first face portion 261 to the bottom face portion 91of the tunnel side frame 9 with a bolt B and nut N as shown in FIG. 7C.

According to this embodiment, the above-described effect that the smoothload transmission at the lower portion of the floor tunnel 8 can beachieved can be enhanced further.

In this embodiment as well as the above-described embodiment (see FIG.7A) in which the outside fastening portion 25 u and the inside fasteningportion 25 n are arranged substantially at the same longitudinalposition, it is preferable that the outside fastening portion 25 u andthe middle fastening portion 25 s be arranged substantially at the samelongitudinal position (see FIG. 7C).

According to this embodiment, since the attachment strength isincreased, the load-transmission performance at the lower portion of thefloor tunnel 8 can be improved, similarly to the above-describedembodiment.

Moreover, the roughly X-shaped portion of the present invention is notto be limited to the X-shaped portion 21 of the above-describedembodiment that is formed in the exactly (really) X shape in the planview as shown in FIG. 9A, but a slightly-deformed X shape may be appliedas the shape of this portion alternatively.

That is, the roughly X-shaped portion of the present invention may beconfigured like a roughly X-shaped portion 21A shown in FIG. 9B in whichan opening angle θr of a pair of ridgeline portions 22 r, 22 r providedat a rear portion which opens rearward is larger than an opening angleθf of a pair of ridgeline portions 22 f, 22 f provided at a frontportion which opens forward, or like another roughly X-shaped portion,not illustrated, in which the opening angle θr of the pair of ridgelineportions 22 r, 22 r is smaller than the opening angle θf of the pair ofridgeline portions 22 f, 22 f conversely.

Further, the roughly X-shaped portion of the present invention may beconfigured like a roughly X-shaped portion 21B shown in FIG. 9C in whicha straight-line portion 27W extending in the vehicle width direction isprovided between a pair of ridgeline portions 22 r, 22 r which openstoward one side in the vehicle width direction and a pair of ridgelineportions 22 l, 22 l which opens toward the other side in the vehiclewidth direction to interconnect these pairs of ridgeline portions 22 r,22 l.

Additionally, the roughly X-shaped portion of the present invention maybe configured like a roughly X-shaped portion 21C shown in FIG. 9D inwhich a straight-line portion 27L extending in the vehicle longitudinaldirection is provided between a pair of ridgeline portions 22 r, 22 rprovided at a rear portion which opens rearward and a pair of ridgelineportions 22 f, 22 f provided at a front portion which opens forward tointerconnect these pairs of ridgeline portions 22 r, 22 f.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the lower portion of the frontend of the side sill 3, the torque box 15, and the under-floorinclination member 31 are joined together in order from above at thefront end of the side sill 3 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B (see the areaZ3 in FIG. 10B). According to this structure, since the torque box 15 isdirectly joined to the lower portion of the front end of the side sill3, the load-transmission effect can be more utilized in preference tothe effect of increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body with thetorque box 15.

Herein, the lower portion of the front end of the side sill 3, theunder-floor inclination member 31, and the torque box 15 may be joinedtogether in order from above at the front end of the side sill 3 asshown in FIGS. 16A and 16B alternatively (see an area Z4 in FIG. 16B).

According to this structure, since the under-floor inclination member 31is directly joined to the lower portion of the front end of the sidesill 3, the performance of the load transmission from the connectionportions (CFr, CFl) of the side sill 3 and the hinge pillar 4 to theunder-floor inclination member 31 can be improved.

And, since the torque box 15 is joined to the lower portion of the frontend of the side sill 3 via the under-floor inclination member 31, theeffect of increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body with the torquebox 15 can be more utilized in preference to the load-transmissioneffect.

Thus, it can be determined how (i.e., in what order from above) theunder-floor inclination member 31 and the torque box 15 are joined tothe lower portion of the front end of the side sill 3, considering thebalance of the effect of increasing the rigidity of the vehicle bodyhaving the torque box 15 and the load-transmission effect.

While the front side frame extension portion 11 is configured to extendobliquely rearward and inward from the rear portion of the front sideframe 7 below the floor panel 2 and connects to the front portion of thetunnel side frame 9 as described above, as another embodiment, a frontside frame extension portion 110 may be formed in a substantiallystraight shape such that a rear portion of the front side frame 7 and afront portion of the tunnel side frame 9 are connected to each othersubstantially straightly and also a front tunnel member 200 may beconfigured such that both end portions, in the vehicle width direction,thereof becomes wider toward its forward side as shown in FIG. 17.

That is, the front side frame extension portion 110 which extendsobliquely rearward and inward and an attachment portion (a first faceportion 261) of the front tunnel member 200 to the tunnel side frame 9are arranged on a roughly-identical straight line in the plan view (seethe same figure).

This front tunnel member 200 comprises an X-shaped portion 210 which isconfigured such that an opening angle of a pair of ridgeline portions 22f, 22 f provided at a front portion which opens forward is larger thanan opening angle of a pair of ridgeline portions 22 r, 22 r provided ata rear portion which opens rearward (see the same figure).

Thus, the front tunnel member 200 is configured such that the attachmentportion (the first face portion 261) to the tunnel side frame 9 and aridgeline portion 220 which forms the X-shaped portion 210 can branchoff at a properly-forward position, compared with the front tunnelmember 20 of the above-described embodiment. Accordingly, theperformance of disperse/transmission of the input load from the frontside frame 7 can be improved.

Moreover, since the front side frame extension portion 110 and theattachment portion (the first face portion 261) of the front tunnelmember 200 can be straightly continuous from each other, an input loadFf from the front side frame 7 can be efficiently transmitted rearwardfrom the front side frame extension portion 110.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle,comprising: right-and-left side sills extending in a vehiclelongitudinal direction at both outward sides, in a vehicle widthdirection, of a vehicle body; right-and-left hinge pillars extendingupward from respective front positions of the right-and-left side sills;right-and-left center pillars extending upward from respective middlepositions, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the right-and-leftside sills; a floor panel connected to the right-and-left side sills; afloor tunnel protruding upward at a central portion of the floor panel;and a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members formed in asubstantially X shape in a plan view, said inclination membersintersecting directly below the floor tunnel, each of the pair ofinclination members being configured to interconnect a connectionportion of the hinge pillar and a connection portion of the centerpillar.
 2. The lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle of claim 1,wherein said each of the pair of inclination members comprises anunder-floor inclination member which is provided below the floor paneland extends obliquely rearward and inward, in the vehicle widthdirection, from said connection portion of the side sill and the hingepillar, an upper-floor inclination member which is provided above thefloor panel and extends obliquely forward and inward, in the vehiclewidth direction, from said connection portion of the side sill and thecenter pillar, and a tunnel member which comprises a roughly X-shapedportion.
 3. The lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle of claim 2,wherein said roughly X-shaped portion of the tunnel member is aclosed-cross section portion, and said closed-cross section portion ofthe roughly X-shaped portion of the tunnel member is configured tooverlap with, in the vehicle width direction, a closed-cross sectionportion which is formed by said upper-floor inclination member and saidfloor panel in a front view of the vehicle.
 4. The lower vehicle-bodystructure of the vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a pair of tunnelside frames provided below said floor panel and extending in the vehiclelongitudinal direction along both sides, in the vehicle width direction,of said floor tunnel, and a connecting member connecting a lower face ofsaid tunnel side frame and a lower face of the floor panel, theconnecting member being configured to at least partially overlap withsaid upper-floor inclination member in the plan view.
 5. The lowervehicle-body structure of the vehicle of claim 2, further comprising apair of tunnel side frames provided below said floor panel and extendingin the vehicle longitudinal direction along both sides, in the vehiclewidth direction, of said floor tunnel, and a connecting memberconnecting a lower face of said tunnel side frame and a lower face ofthe floor panel, the connecting member being configured to at leastpartially overlap with said upper-floor inclination member in the planview.
 6. The lower vehicle-body structure of the vehicle of claim 1,wherein said each of the pair of inclination members comprises anupper-floor inclination member which is provided above the floor paneland extends obliquely rearward and inward, in the vehicle widthdirection, from said connection portion of the side sill and the hingepillar, an under-floor inclination member which is provided below thefloor panel and extends obliquely forward and inward, in the vehiclewidth direction, from said connection portion of the side sill and thecenter pillar, and a tunnel member which comprises a roughly X-shapedportion.